Night of the Long Knives
In 1933, Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany. His Nazi party held political power in the country. Hitler sought to create a greater Germany. His first step was to kill anyone who got in his way. In 1934, Hitler ordered assassinations to be carried out on a group known as the Sturmabteilung. This group was seen as a threat to Hitler’s power because of the violence they created. He also saw their independence as a direct threat to his power. His plan was to kill the leader of this group, Ernst Rohm, and other political opponents to show his critics that he was a powerful leader and was in total control.
So during the nights of June 20th through July 2nd, Hitler carried out these executions. His personal bodyguards known as the Schutzstaffel killed at least 85 people and arrested many more. The Gestapo, a secret police force, also carried out the orders. It is believed there may have been more than 100 people killed. This event strengthened Hitler’s party. It also gave way to a new rule in Germany. If any political opponents were known to be inciting any sort of anti-Nazi messages, they were to be arrested and/or killed as enemies of the state.
